The 1996 movie Thinner, based on the novel by Stephen King, wasn’t a big hit in theaters. Now, after 30 years, it’s getting a second look thanks to a free streaming release.
Beginning June 1st, you’ll be able to watch Stephen King’s Thinner. While the movie earned over $15 million when it came out 30 years ago, it wasn’t considered a big success. Critics didn’t like it much either, as it only received a 19% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Thinner has since gained a dedicated fanbase and is now seen by many Stephen King fans as one of his most overlooked movie adaptations.
Thinner Is a Very Faithful Stephen King Adaptation
One fan praised the movie as “extremely underrated,” noting that it closely follows the book and embraces a darker, more pessimistic tone that feels similar to Stephen King’s earlier work under the name Richard Bachman.
“Thinner” is considered the most successful movie adaptation of a Stephen King novel,” one reviewer states. “I recently rewatched it after a long time, and it still holds up as a fantastic film. It moves at a good speed, stays true to the original story, and has a genuinely compelling plot. It’s a really well-done adaptation.”
Despite not being a mainstream favorite, many fans have shared positive reviews of Thinner on Rotten Tomatoes.
One reader described this story by Stephen King as darkly humorous and delightfully over-the-top, with a surprising ending that will stay with you.
One viewer said the film was a refreshing change from typical horror movies, praising its engaging story that held their attention from beginning to end.
Thinner Was Published Under Stephen King’s Pseudonym
Stephen King originally published Thinner in 1984 under the name Richard Bachman. The 1996 film adaptation was directed by Tom Holland, known for Child’s Play, and he co-wrote the script with Michael McDowell, who worked on Beetlejuice. Robert John Burke, from the TV show Oz, plays Billy Halleck, a lawyer who accidentally hits and kills an elderly Romani woman (played by Irma St. Paule of Satan’s Playground) while driving. As revenge, the woman’s father (Michael Constantine, famous for My Big Fat Greek Wedding) places a curse on Billy, causing him to lose weight uncontrollably.
In the movie Thinner, King plays a pharmacist. Joe Mantegna, known from Criminal Minds, appears as Richie “The Hammer” Ginelli, a mafia boss who assists Billy in using underhanded methods to convince a Romani family to break a curse. The cast also includes Lucinda Jenney (3 from Hell), Kari Wuhrer (Swamp Thing), Bethany Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill), Daniel Von Bargen (Malcolm in the Middle), Elizabeth Franz (A Fish in the Bathtub), and Sam Freed (Kate & Allie).
Stephen King’s Thinner streams for free on Tubi on June 1, 2026.
Read More
- Off Campus Season 1 Soundtrack Guide
- 46 Years Later, The Mandalorian & Grogu Answers A Major Empire Strikes Back Question
- X-Men ’97 Finally Gave Gambit the Hero Moment He Deserved
- HoI4 fans harsh reactions to the announcement of another DLC pack
- Chainsaw Man Volume 24’s Cover Art Reveals a Brand-New Denji
- 10 Worst End-Game Couples In Sitcom History
- DoorDash responds after customer uses AI to make food look bad and get a refund
- Emily Henry Says to ‘Trust the Vision’ For Beach Read Adaptation
- Hatsune Miku cosplayer goes viral selling $15 cups of “foot juice” to thirsty anime fans
- Katanire’s Yae Miko Cosplay: Genshin Impact Masterpiece
2026-06-01 03:06